Legally Blonde the Musical

A full house for this performance and almost full for the whole run. That’s an achievement in itself, so well done to LMCS for generating such good ticket sales and a credit to the marketing team.

This was a really good choice of show with those excellent character cameos suitable for a group that specialises in musicals and pantomimes pulling out all stops with the singing and dancing. This was a truly proper ‘company’ show which is often not found in the new releases and Kelly, Karen, Daniel and Harry capitalised on all that talent, enthusiasm and energy in the company. The settings for so many scenes simplified but most effective with the sliding screens and brought on furniture, needed to be swift to keep the continuity and it worked. What a power house from the whole company from the very start. 

I thought Kelly directed well – the show flowed, the cast were all very involved, making it a good ensemble piece interspersed with notable performances.  I felt the music was too loud especially in the first half making it very difficult to hear the words but the overall effect created an enjoyable production. I preferred the second half with much more variety of pitch and tempo in the musical numbers and a better variation of type of scenes.

Karen’s choreography was original, suiting the varying abilities of the cast, which they all performed with energy and enthusiasm.  The principal team of dancers were excellent. This was a great choice of show for a large company, many of whom were young people, all of whom were so obviously enjoying being on stage in this lively production. Guided by a dedicated creative team, the cast displayed some good acting and great singing including some lovely harmonies.

Luke Martin gave a good performance as Emmett Forest. This young man is becoming quite a regular performer and displays some good acting with a very pleasant singing voice. He came over as rather shy and unsure capturing the emotions of the audience. Craig Etherington as Warner Huntington was quite the reverse portraying a young man very sure of himself convinced that everyone was going to fall in love with him and planning to go places. Tim Kimber as the Professor was excellent as always. He has the ability to be so right in whatever part he fills.

Saxona Woolgar played Elle Woods, the leading lady, giving an outstanding performance for a 19 year old. She not only looked the part, she acted, sang and danced her way through the production holding the whole show together. Michelle Shepherd-Ede was a delight as Brooke and the other female principals, namely Beverley Seal, Charlotte Grimes and Victoria Unsworth provided excellent support. Saskia, Amanda and Amber filled their role as the ‘dizzy friends’ with appropriate dancing and singing and all the remainder of the supporting cast and ensemble gave of their all ensuring the success of a very lively production.

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